How to "degoogle" my phone?

[Red Squirrel]

I have a Nexus 4 which is Android, and I like to do everything I can on my PC so I'm not spied on and I'm a bit slacking in the phone department as I never really did much or gave it much thought. Most apps require all sorts of accesses like contacts and who knows what they do with that info or what kind of tracking is being done in the background by all the various apps or google itself.

Is there any way to protect myself from this stuff? Are there hacked versions of Android for example that I can put on and that get rid of all the privacy issues?

 

[Crono]

Use a custom ROM like CyanogenMod or AOSP (and there may be "slim" custom ROMs based on those two, but you'll have to browse XDA, as I don't have a Nexus device and can't vouch for any specific ROMs) and don't install GApps.

Install F-Droid (open source marketplace). Install XPrivacy/AppOps using Xposed framework and configure permissions as needed (CyanogenMod has Privacy Guard). Install AFwall+ or other firewall to limit connectivity to the apps you want to have internet access. If you want additional privacy and security from trackers and ads, install AdAway for system blocking of ads (requires root) and use Firefox (regular or Fennec version) with uBlock Origin. There are other add-ons/extensions as well that may be useful like Ghostery, but uBlock Origin is enough if you don't want to eat up more memory.

You can also get apps from apkmirror or apps that are on the Play Store without using the Play Store app using the link below. Keep in mind that there are some apps that won't function properly or will give you an error message (which you can often ignore) if you don't have Play Services.
http://apps.evozi.com/apk-downloader

De-Googling your phone gives you more space, better battery life, and possibly better speed but at the cost of some convenience and usability, depending on whether or not you need Play Services. The biggest potential problem you might encounter is using location services (for map/gps based apps). I had some issues getting HERE and Waze to function properly on my Moto X. If you have similar trouble, it may be easier to just flash a ROM and Play Services, then selectively remove or block internet access for whatever you don't need.

I also suggest getting apk extractor so you can save all your apps to a folder and back them up to a drive or cloud storage afterwards. Makes moving apps to a new device or restoring nearly as easy (and potentially quicker, depending on how many you have) than the normal Play Store method.

EDIT: You might not need Firefox - AOSP is just fine for basic browsing - but I love Firefox's extensibility, and use mostly the same set of add-ons on Waterfox. Customized (using Stylish) dark desktop version of the forums (CM dark material design theme, too, which helps AMOLED device conserve battery) is way better than the default mobile version or even Tapatalk:

 

[Red Squirrel]

Cool thanks gives me stuff to search on and to check out.

 

[lxskllr]

Alternately, you can manually delete the google stuff in your stock rom. You don't get the benefit of extra space since the partition still takes up room, but it stops the spying, and frees some resources if the stuff currently runs.

 

[DigDog]

bump so i can find this later.

 

[shabby]

Just get a feature phone if you don't want to be "spied" upon.
If you flash a rom without gapps then sure, google won't spy on you, but you're going to miss those google apps. Then install xposed + xprivacy.

 

[JeffMD]

Just get a feature phone if you don't want to be "spied" upon.
If you flash a rom without gapps then sure, google won't spy on you, but you're going to miss those google apps. Then install xposed + xprivacy.

... You know I don't have as big a problem with the collected info like yourself.. but I'm not going to tell someone who want's to block it all that they shouldn't. -_- That's like telling someone not to go outside when they ask what brand of sunglasses are best for keeping out UV.

 

[Raduque]

... You know I don't have as big a problem with the collected info like yourself.. but I'm not going to tell someone who want's to block it all that they shouldn't. -_- That's like telling someone not to go outside when they ask what brand of sunglasses are best for keeping out UV.

It's more like telling somebody not to go outside when they ask how to keep from being recorded on security cameras.

 

[Strk]

... You know I don't have as big a problem with the collected info like yourself.. but I'm not going to tell someone who want's to block it all that they shouldn't. -_- That's like telling someone not to go outside when they ask what brand of sunglasses are best for keeping out UV.

Kind of, but not quite the best analogy. In the end, he is asking how to deGoogle a Google product. If you don't want Google, you may want to stop using their products. I suppose you could be somewhat successful with some of the roms out there though.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Well it's either buy a Google phone, or an Apple phone, either way I'm in the same boat. I suspect a google phone is probably easier to mod. I was not aware there were custom roms so definitely going to check those out. There's not exactly any open source phones out there that I know about so no matter what by default there will be lot of crapware to get rid of to increase privacy. I don't think Apple is that bad for spying though but I heard that Siri does record your voice and send to a server, not sure if that's true though, if yes that is quite alarming.

 

[Crono]

Well it's either buy a Google phone, or an Apple phone, either way I'm in the same boat. I suspect a google phone is probably easier to mod. I was not aware there were custom roms so definitely going to check those out. There's not exactly any open source phones out there that I know about so no matter what by default there will be lot of crapware to get rid of to increase privacy. I don't think Apple is that bad for spying though but I heard that Siri does record your voice and send to a server, not sure if that's true though, if yes that is quite alarming.

Well, there are Firefox OS, Ubuntu, CyanogenMod, and presumably soon Tizen phones available, but it's relatively easy to root and flash your Nexus 4 with another Android-based ROM. No need to buy another phone. And the Nexus 4 is actually compatible with Firefox OS and Ubuntu Touch (and maybe others), if you are adventurous want to test them out. I've contemplated getting a Nexus 4 just for that, which as far as I know is still the phone with the most third-party operating systems available for it. There are ways to multiboot ROMs/OS', and it wouldn't surprise me if there's a way to get Windows Phone/Windows 10 on it, too.

Addressing other replies: What some people forget is that AOSP and Google Android are two different things; Google may be the leader and biggest contributor to AOSP codebase (at least I assume it still is), but it's still an open source project and freely available for others to use and modify.

Manufacturers in China and other markets largely don't use Google apps at all, and use their own markets and services instead of Google's. Most of those phones aren't for sale here in the United States and Canada, but there's a huge number of Android phones throughout the world that aren't Google phones. [this loss of control is one reason I suspect Google is simultaneously pushing Chrome OS rather than putting all their eggs in the Android basket]

Google does make it more desirable to use Android phones with their services and apps, but the bottom line is that you are free to choose whether you want to use their apps or version of Android. They don't manufacture the phones, and their robots won't come into your house to drag you away to a Google Gulag (not until 2024, anyway...) for flashing custom ROMs. So if the OP wants to de-Google his phone for whatever reason, he should.

I'm all for less dependence on Google for practical reasons: they have a nasty habit of killing off free services they feel not enough people are using anymore, their apps/services collectively can cause unnecessary battery drain and resource usage, and their support - even for paid services! - is virtually non-existent. I'd also rather pay to use a product than have data mined from me in order to serve me ads, but you can dismiss that by calling me old-fashioned.

 

[JeffMD]

Kind of, but not quite the best analogy. In the end, he is asking how to deGoogle a Google product. If you don't want Google, you may want to stop using their products. I suppose you could be somewhat successful with some of the roms out there though.

No hes asking how to prevent the google product from phoning home. ^^

 

[lxskllr]

No hes asking how to prevent the google product from phoning home. ^^

Pretty much every (Android)phone is "Google" for the most part. Alternatives are as bad if not worse aside from some micro niches. Your choices for a pocket computer are hack as much of the crap out as you can, or don't use a pocket computer.

 

[sweenish]

Sailfish, ubuntu, firefox OS.

Plenty of other phone operating systems for paranoid people who want to stop a company from learning about them.

I find the whole thing tedious, myself. Google Now is indispensable for me.

 

[lxskllr]

Sailfish, ubuntu, firefox OS.

Plenty of other phone operating systems for paranoid people who want to stop a company from learning about them.

I find the whole thing tedious, myself. Google Now is indispensable for me.

How many programs are available for them? How about device support? What's the difference between getting a limited phone(that still has proprietary software, and can spy on you), or simply removing the google from the phone you already have? I de-googled my phone lying in bed over a short period of time. I picked this phone because it works on Sprint(which work pays for), and had necessary physical attributes. I might have made a different decision if starting from scratch, or maybe not. I didn't look that hard since the choices were constrained from the start.

 

[Crono]

Sailfish, ubuntu, firefox OS.

Plenty of other phone operating systems for paranoid people who want to stop a company from learning about them.

I find the whole thing tedious, myself. Google Now is indispensable for me.

You better hope it remains a priority for Google, then:

What went unannounced was that most of the original team that built Now had departed, many of them just before I/O, according to multiple sources. Some had grown frustrated that the product, born within Android, was shuttered into search inside of Google, they said. And Sundar Pichai, Google’s SVP and incoming CEO, did not prioritize the product as much as Page.
The exits reveal the hiccups Google has incubating new products that reach across multiple units of the tech giant. They also expose some key traits of Pichai’s leadership style — and some of the many hurdles he has ahead as he marshals Google’s core business.

http://recode.net/2015/08/24/after-staff-exodus-microsoft-apple-pressure-next-for-google-now/

 

[sweenish]

I also read that story. Tell me, how would moving it from Android to Search mean it's not a priority?

 

[sweenish]

How many programs are available for them? How about device support? What's the difference between getting a limited phone(that still has proprietary software, and can spy on you), or simply removing the google from the phone you already have? I de-googled my phone lying in bed over a short period of time. I picked this phone because it works on Sprint(which work pays for), and had necessary physical attributes. I might have made a different decision if starting from scratch, or maybe not. I didn't look that hard since the choices were constrained from the start.

Tell me how you think the two OPEN SOURCE (I don't believe Sailfish is completely open source) operating systems I mentioned facilitate spying to a degree more than a phone without Google's frameworks?

And tell me how you aren't being spied on because you uninstalled a few apps and removed the Play Services (and associated frameworks, making your phone as "useful" as the ones I mentioned).

That's the whole problem with people who want a smartphone, but don't want to be "spied" on. They don't get it. You own a mobile, you're being spied on.

The answer is not get one, or get over yourself.

 

[lxskllr]

Tell me how you think the two OPEN SOURCE (I don't believe Sailfish is completely open source) operating systems I mentioned facilitate spying to a degree more than a phone without Google's frameworks?

Why would I do that? Nothing I said even hinted at that. I said they were either proprietary, or had virtually zero support. I do without a lot not using Google, but I expect, and require something at least as functional as fdroid.

And tell me how you aren't being spied on because you uninstalled a few apps and removed the Play Services (and associated frameworks, making your phone as "useful" as the ones I mentioned).

see above. Someone reasonably technically(and literally) literate would have seen that's what I said.

That's the whole problem with people who want a smartphone, but don't want to be "spied" on. They don't get it. You own a mobile, you're being spied on.

The answer is not get one, or get over yourself.

Or you could just answer the op's fsckin' question and tell him how to remove the spyware that's removeable, since the other options aren't any better.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Tell me how you think the two OPEN SOURCE (I don't believe Sailfish is completely open source) operating systems I mentioned facilitate spying to a degree more than a phone without Google's frameworks?

And tell me how you aren't being spied on because you uninstalled a few apps and removed the Play Services (and associated frameworks, making your phone as "useful" as the ones I mentioned).

That's the whole problem with people who want a smartphone, but don't want to be "spied" on. They don't get it. You own a mobile, you're being spied on.

The answer is not get one, or get over yourself.

I suppose your answer to anyone who wants to eliminate spying is to go back to the 18th century. Cut off your internet, telephone, cell phone service and live in a cave. How realistic.

 

[bigaug]

I suppose your answer to anyone who wants to eliminate spying is to go back to the 18th century. Cut off your internet, telephone, cell phone service and live in a cave. How realistic.

That actually is pretty much reality now.,

 

[sweenish]

I suppose your answer to anyone who wants to eliminate spying is to go back to the 18th century. Cut off your internet, telephone, cell phone service and live in a cave. How realistic.

Not having a smart phone is still very realistic today. Your hyperbole fails.

And yes, that is the answer. Taking google services off your phone and using Duck Duck Go protects you exactly as much as a tinfoil hat.

 

[Suspicious-Teach8788]

Not having a smart phone is still very realistic today. Your hyperbole fails.

And yes, that is the answer. Taking google services off your phone and using Duck Duck Go protects you exactly as much as a tinfoil hat.

It depends on your threat model? If you're Osama bin Laden, de-Google-ifying your Nexus 6 isn't going to help you.

If you're just trying to avoid Google from building a location/search history about you, this is a relevant thread.

It's like saying putting your money in a bank vault doesn't prevent someone from entering and blowing the door off with C4. No it doesn't, but that's not what the general threat model is for most people.

 

[sweenish]

Why would I do that? Nothing I said even hinted at that. I said they were either proprietary, or had virtually zero support. I do without a lot not using Google, but I expect, and require something at least as functional as fdroid.

see above. Someone reasonably technically(and literally) literate would have seen that's what I said.


Or you could just answer the op's fsckin' question and tell him how to remove the spyware that's removeable, since the other options aren't any better.

And you think Canonical doesn't provide support?

You're just proving my point. People who expect to buy smart phones and expect not be "spied" on are backwards.

And I did gloss over your post. I apologize for that.

So tell me, what's the point? You still never answered that, and it's a basic question. Do you visit web sites? Google and everyone under the sun still spies that information. You can still be served custom ads. You still take the phone home, right? What is the point? Why would I purposefully make my experience inferior for the mere idea that I'm not being spied on, when the reality begs so hard to differ?

Why are we so concerned about what Google finds out about us, while perfectly fine ignoring what our governments will learn about us? How does that cognitive dissonance work?

 

[sweenish]

It depends on your threat model? If you're Osama bin Laden, de-Google-ifying your Nexus 6 isn't going to help you.

If you're just trying to avoid Google from building a location/search history about you, this is a relevant thread.

It's like saying putting your money in a bank vault doesn't prevent someone from entering and blowing the door off with C4. No it doesn't, but that's not what the general threat model is for most people.

In this case, people aren't trusting the banks. Maybe OP should just buy an iPhone, then. Privacy seems to be Apple's mantra at the moment.

This 'threat model' is absolutely garbage. Taking the phone online automatically gets you on dozens of radars, including Google's.