So I got my new Jolla phone based on Linux. Figuring out if I maybe go outside my iOS network.
So I create an account for the shop and when I first logged in somehow it pushes its Google app on my phone called microG Settings. So yeah, I was a bit surprised, but no worries. I will delete it.
Guess what….damn thing is not going to be deleted even if i want it to. All other apps can be deleted, but this one…no sir, stick with it.
I guess this is a bug, isn’t? An annoying one, but it will be soon fixed, right?
I am not happy at all right now with my new privacy minded phone which has an app on it related to Google and which i can’t delete. Makes me pissed, sorry to say
Sorry to say but it seems you selected it (or did not deselect it?). I am not yet in the situation, but after having followed this “privacy-oriented” forum here I would have deselected it aforesaid.
And before you open the next thread with same info cluttered all over this forum, be advised that possibly the browser search engine is still Google (or it was already with 5.2 set to Ecosia).
During the setup you had option to not install the MicroG (which doesn’t have anything to do with Google, it has reverse engineered some Google APIs, in FOSS manner). You can uninstall it from Jolla store. If you want to practice, you can do factory reset (from settings) and try again, this time without installing it. It is not mandatory
Look mate, i know i don’t see things straight now a days, so yeah, it could be slipped during setup, but the main point i wanna make is that it cannot be deleted through the normal way. And even it isn’t something of Google, it annoys me that i cannot delete if i want it to. Why is that?
It doesn’t actually remove microG, it somehow still lingers around. It can easily be disabled in Settings > Android App Support.
I think it’s not even enabled by default - so in essence: much ado about nothing.
Open Jolla store, and uninstall from there. Then uninstall microG settings by long pressing in the app drawer. Turn AppSupport off and on again.
If it doesn’t appear to have been removed, repeat again, but it can be removed.
For clarity microG was created to emulate Google Play Services so that apps that think they need them can still work. Any communication to Google’s servers can be blocked there.
Hello, a newbie question here! What does AAS mean? Android App Store? Atomic absorption spectroscopy? I’m waiting for my new Jolla to arrive (I practised a little with my first one in 2013) and filled with anticipation of my new deg++gled life.
And.
To add here (maybe could be split into its own topic?):
I suggest to NOT install Android App Support on first boot.
As it automatically installs MicroG from Jolla Store which you cannot downgrade/deinstall.
And it automatically installs the (beta state) Android BT bridge (which may cause weird behaviour on native side).
Just let the device install the native stuff and then go to Store and select AAS (and decide about MicroG and the BT bridge) on your own. I thought we were asked to have that included/selected but nada.
And you may install from Store the Aurora and the F-Droid apps. They can be updated via F-Droid itself.
Caveat for non- techy guys could be adding the microG F-Droid repo and correct configuration of MicroG services (but there is a thread for it).
Another thing to watch out for is the configuration of Aurora store. There you should go into Settings - Blacklist Manager and blacklist the microG* apps (2 or 3, microG Services, microG Companion, and depending on version: microG Services Framework Proxy). This stops Aurora to fetch the original Google GSM stuff from Play Store).
Should/could also be included in the standard installation coming from @Jolla Store!
I think I got it (maybe). It acts similar as Google Play Services and helps you emulate android apps? Runs on the background even if you don’t want to use it. Also I would like to understand Aurora - Google -affiliation a little better. Does one really have to register with a Google account? I think this doesn’t fit well anymore in this thread, but the can is opened!
Can’t wait for my phone to arrive! I’m glad I don’t have to hurry with it, but can take my time getting to know things.
