Hi,
I haven’t quite figured out the whole thing with Google and the microG account yet.
If I add a Google account, is that the same as microG?
If I buy an app from the Play Store, do I lose /e/OS protection permanently, or am I only visible to Google at the moment of purchase?
Thanks for the clarification
Andi
microG is what does the talking to Google Play Services the networked services - instead of the Play Services the system components.
That allows for some flexibility, but not that much.
microG offers a gradual off ramp from networked Google services and apps to find functions (Cloud messaging, Location, Barcode Scanning) they’d expect on a Stock Google Android and not crash because they can’t find them.
Here’s the /e/OS docs: A simple guide to understand microG or a Video: microG explanation as video or imo a very telling API implementation overview.
Thanks for your help, but sorry, I don’t get it.
I can download apps.
Why can’t I set up a Google account on the MicroG main screen?
you can? it’s mentioned at the section “Usage” in the official /e/OS doc links
- Using Google Account with microG
you can download then apps that were bought with that account.
For buying new Apps I’m unsure: to some extent you can use Billing functions through microG. In the past, people used other connected Androids to their account to buy new Apps. Someone else who has practical experience here should chip in.
You’re ofc identifiable when you buy through an account. If you disconnect that account after downloading the App you loose the ability to update it.
Do you have a link for that, please?
Last question:
So, if I buy an app (you can’t do that anonymously, obviously), I log in to the Play Store and buy the app there. Google “sees” me there, but if I log out again, am I no longer visible to them? Did I understand you correctly?
You’ll have to explain the update feature to me in more detail.
I buy an app, download it to my phone, and then disconnect from the Play Store.
Can I still use the app? I thought Google was only needed for the purchase process.
Licensing requests can happen at any point, but it’s up to the developers, so you cannot generalize.
If you care about a handful of specific apps, contact the publisher and describe your use case.
I assume that apps that have a one-time price tend to be the ones where you can dissociate the Google account after purchase - but that is speculation, and I’d be wary about the time of update.
Use the forum search and maybe discard anything older than 2-3 years for user feedback.
Thank you very much for the tips. I’ll give it a try.