Android smartphones are made to be used with a Google account, Google services and Google apps. But does the device actually work without it? TECHBOOK did the test and shows how it works.
Almost every new Android smartphone prompts you to sign in with a Google account during initial setup to “get the most out of your device.” In plain language, this means that with the registration you get access to the Google Play Store, the largest of all app stores, and can install apps as you wish. TECHBOOK has tested whether Android also works without these Google services.
Android without Google – is that even possible?
In principle, the Android operating system does not require Google’s apps, but it is definitely designed to use the company’s services. Without a connection to a Google account, data such as contacts, emails, passwords and settings will not be synced and you will not be able to access the App Store, making the smartphone less “smart”. However, if you do your research, you can definitely experience Android in its purest form with the right apps.
The pros and cons
The advantage of a smartphone without a direct connection to Google is that the company can no longer easily access data and use it for advertising purposes. Normally, the tech giant collects almost all data that provides it with information about user behavior. These include places that are often visited, which apps are used, when messages are written and which number is called, what is bought and where it is bought, which pages you will visit or what is viewed and heard. The more the company’s apps you use — including Gmail, Maps, YouTube, Chrome, Play Store, Photos, Play Music, and many, many others — the more data you’re giving them.
The downside is that without Google’s Play Store, apps have to be obtained from other sources. Although alternative app stores often have a good selection, they publish app updates much more slowly than the Play Store. Missing or late updates leave a lot of room for security vulnerabilities. Apps from the Google Play Store usually get the patches earlier. Google also scans all apps in the Play Store for malware with its Play Protect service. Especially with apps that you download from the Internet, there is no protection at all, which means you can quickly catch a virus. Play Protect can also check these apps for dubious behavior and will definitely ask for user permission for this – but this would give Google more information about your own usage profile.
How to use Android without Google
A login window for the Google account appears during the initial setup. Although the window suggests that the smartphone cannot function optimally without registration, you can confidently open it Skip click and still use your new device.
Photo: TECHBOOKPhoto: TECHBOOK
When you complete the setup process, the Android interface appears exactly as it normally would. Now it’s time to find alternatives for the many Google apps that the company provides. First we need an alternative app store from which to download replacement programs. We chose F-Droid because here only open source-Apps are offered, i.e. programs whose source code is publicly accessible. With F-Droid you can be sure that you will not be spied on and on top of that all apps in the F-Droid database are free. The app gives up this side to download.
Photo: TECHBOOKPhoto: TECHBOOK
True, F-Droid doesn’t have nearly as many apps as the Play Store or other alternatives like that Amazon store, but you don’t have to worry about the transfer of user data. After installing F-Droid, you can really get started! We now need to find replacement apps for all Google services like Maps, Chrome and YouTube. Fortunately, in most cases this is not a problem. However, there are restrictions, especially with third-party apps such as WhatsApp and Facebook. Their apps are only available on Google Play, but can also be downloaded directly from the Internet if necessary. A relatively safe site for this is APKMirrorwhere many apps from the Play Store can be found.
Detailed instructions on how to install apps without the Google Play Store can be found here: Install Android apps without Google’s Play Store.
Replacement for Google Apps in F-Droid
The apps in this list are from the alternative app store F-Droid. All information about F-Droid can be found in our article: F-Droid – a completely free alternative to the Play Store?
Google Maps → OsmAnd+
OsmAnd+ is an excellent alternative for Google Maps. In addition to the standard functions such as navigation, there is a built-in travel guide with information from Wikivoyage and extensions like a nautical chart and contour lines.
Google Chrome → Duckduckgo Browser
The duck browser should actually always be the first choice for surfing the Internet. Instead of the Google search, the browser uses its own duckduckgo searchwhere the anonymity of the user comes first.
Google Gmail → K-9 Mail
K-9 Mail looks older than it is due to the old-fashioned user interface, but you shouldn’t let that fool you. Registering with your own e-mail address – be it Outlook, GMX or similar – works perfectly. The range of functions is also correct once you get used to the app.
YouTube → NewPipe
NewPipe gives you access to the YouTube video portal without running the risk of everything you watch there being compiled into a behavioral profile on Google. We almost liked the app’s interface better than YouTube itself. Even functions such as downloading videos are possible.
Our conclusion
In principle, it is possible to use an Android smartphone without a Google account, but it is probably only really interesting for a very small target group. By forgoing advantages such as always up-to-date and protected apps from the Play Store, the user gains significantly more control over their own data. But reducing the amount of information sent to Google doesn’t mean you’re going completely anonymous.
The mere fact that mobile phones connect to cell towers makes the user traceable at all times. Also, Google still has a backdoor on every Android smartphone through background programs like Google Play Services that cannot be turned off. The only way out is to install a so-called CustomROM, which replaces the pre-installed operating system. However, this will void the warranty, and a mistake during installation can “brick” the device – literally turning it into a useless brick.
So not signing in with a Google account and avoiding the company’s apps as much as possible is the best practice for people who want to take back control of their personal information while still enjoying the convenience of a smartphone.