Resistance users tell us why they don’t regret

Using Android, the Google operating system, implies using a series of services beyond Play Store: the search engine firm puts all its infrastructure so that for example, notifications reach our mobile in time. However, Android Open Source roots open A range of possibilities beyond the Google garden.

With many concessions that are lost along the way, of course. Who has used a ROM without the ‘gapps’ can certify it. However, there are users who They prefer to opt for a clean and telemetry system of the Big Tech Even sacrificing the comfort that Google provides: it is possible, even beneficial to win a few battery hours. This is the experience of some of those daring. We have talked to several users who have decided to go through this process and, as they tell us, they are more owners of their devices

Why run away from Google? Reasons to sacrifice a lot

Dodding Google’s Android is not an easy taskbecause the user must opt ​​for a modified version of the operating system. And that, getting it standard on a new device, is complicated by poor availability. However, there are plenty of reasons to make this effort, according to witnesses.

first of all, murder (a reader of Xataka Android) emphasizes that the main reason to get out of Google It is the “data harvester” in which an Android becomes with the services of the American company. There are studies that demonstrate it, even the e Foundation (Group that elaborates a rom that the user uses) goes one step further.

Similarly, our advanced reader and user points to philosophical motives: his preference is open environments, and considering that iOS (now it is more open in the European Union) has never been, He had no more alternative What to opt for / e / os. Reasons that are even policies: seeks European technological independence, which the user considers relevant “to US initiatives to geographically limit the use of devices.”

That output of an ecosystem controlled by Google is cheap: “Installing a ROM without Google in an existing terminal is cheaper than buying a new iPhone.” Although Custom Roms are in decline, there are still options. / E/ OS, used by murder It is one of the most popular; Others such as Grapheneos also propose from the Open Source side.

Our second reader, Jesús Ballesteros (jrballesteros05), choose the ultrasecure rom that is installed in the Google Pixel, the aforementioned Grapheneos. What are your reasons to stop depending on Google? The monopoly of the signing of the search engine and the deterioration of the web. As he says, he considers Google “an advertising monopoly” and responsible for the state of the current website given by his advertising model. He states that Google has “zero respect for the privacy of its users.”

An android without Google is possible

As we know, Google nourishes Android of many functions that not only serve the userbut directly affect the operation of the operating system. Without Google, for example, notifications do not arrive in the same way: the American company puts its servers and technology to prevent notifications from maintaining “devices” awake “(with the consequent battery consumption).

Therefore, conceiving an Android without Google is complicated, but not impossible. Certain concessions must be made, as well as find substitute for some of its services and applications. In this sense, murder It started with lineages 22.1 and did not know how to adapt without Google services: instead, / E / OS de Murena offers services in the European cloud that give relief to those of Google (mail, backup, multimedia and maps apps).

However, What is most strange is the search engine. “Murena’s integrated search engine needs improvements.” He has not been able to goodbye to Google Asisstant, due to the lack of a European alternative: Murena has one in development, but is distant.

What more concessions have done with the European Rom? He has not found an alternative to Google Pay, so he has decided to do without NFC payments at the moment. Now, the most noticeable absence comes from the multimedia side: “Dailymotion is not comparable” to YouTube.

In Grapheneos, Jesus also misses Google: “What has cost me the most without a doubt is getting a good alternative to Google Maps”. At present, USA Organic Maps, which he considers decent for public transport, although he recognizes the superiority of Maps.

The difficulties continue, particularly for him for the WhatsApp backup. Without Google’s services, you cannot upload it to Google Drive, and this ends that at some point WhatsApp itself restricts the use of the app. “I would say that if it weren’t for that, Google would no longer have,” says the user.

The Newpipe app is able to replace the YouTube officer for Android

Bet on free software at all levels: Use F-Droid as Application Store, Newpipe to replace the YouTube app, Fairemail (for GMAI) and Syncthing (Drive Relay) that are “less invasive and without advertising.”

And a second life for any mobile

The fact of opting for Android without Google systems in existing mobiles is one of the great advantages, to allow extend the life of the devices. In addition to some “collateral” benefit in terms of performance and battery. Of course, as long as some of our devices are compatible with these alternative versions.

Fairphone allows you to buy your Fairphone 5 directly with / e / os

In the case of / E / OS, our reader allowed Android 12 to Android 14, without buying a new device. Using a Nord OnePlus, you have noticed in the alternative ROM Better battery consumption: Before it did not reach the end of the day, now. It may be because of the escape of the GMS (Google services), also for using simpler applications. In relation to performance improvements, murder Does not notice a substantial improvement.

This user thinks that There are no reasons for an Android without Google if it is not for the “responsible consumption”. And his next step, Definitory: considers that a “European Android Terminal” is viable and valid, specifically, he will bet on a pre -installed terminal. What options do you have? A Fairphone 5.

Grapheneos is decaffeinated from applications, wonderful for the limited internal memory of some phones

Changing the grapheneous sidewalk, the user emphasizes that the system comes “with the minimum”, something that can be seen in the Internal memory free space. And this one does point to improvements in the autonomy of the battery: by default, with greater control of the system, it is easy to get more battery than in the default android of its terminal.

As we have seen, abandoning the Google ecosystem in Android is a decision motivated mainly by the search for privacy and greater control over personal data. Although the road implies certain concessions, such as the search for alternatives to consolidated applications and the absence of some comforts, users find various benefits. Their experience shows that an Android without Google is not only possible, but Open the door to a more conscious mobile use and, for many, more satisfactory.

Cover image | Image 3 of Google with photoshop edition

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