I’m using Google Calendar on a device running /e/OS 2.5. I chose to use Google Calendar because alternative calendar apps I tried were missing features which I need to use. I restrict it from accessing the internet, so the privacy impact should be acceptable.
Since today (December 11th, 2024), I cannot start Google Calendar anymore. When I try to start it, I’m being told that Google Play services are needed to start the app and that these are not available on my device. This happened just after App Lounge did an update - presumably an update of Google Calendar.
Do you have any suggestions about what I could do? The last thing I want to do is replace Google Calendar with another app…
Like anyone who uses Google apps on an /e/OS smartphone, I would advise you to switch to the original Google Android. Why de-Google in order to use Google afterwards? You don’t become a vegetarian to eat steaks afterwards…
Just in my case (and others too), we need Google calendar + mail & co linked to our professional/work account. We then use private email + calendar with other providers.
That’s why I chose /e/OS, I can use my private + my professional mails & calendars on the same device.
To come back to the topic: I confirm that I’m unable to open Google Calendar anymore, with the same error: “Calendar won’t work without Google Play that is not compatible with your device”. But I don’t really need it as it still sync perfectly with /e/ calendar. Official Gmail app still works though (until when?)
To Shakatus and all others who want to tell me that it’s not a good idea to use an app from Google on my phone: Since the app is unable to access the internet (synchronization is done with DavX5), the privacy impact is acceptable to me. If it’s not for you, that’s fine. You’re entitled to your own opinion, but I ask for your understanding that I’m not willing to write anything further about this.
Well… Just got an update of Gmail app in Aurora Store, and it stopped working as well (same error message). But not a big deal as /e/ default mail continues to work pretty well with my professional Gmail account.
I have the same problem and the same reasons for my installation.
I’m also looking for help and don’t want to have to justify my use of my /e/ mobile phone.
I don’t dare to ask any more questions.
I think that’s a great pity…
You shouldn’t worry about that. This is a community support forum for the /e/OS operating system. Value judgements against other users have no place here, nobody can tell you what you should or shouldn’t do with your phone here.
To come back to topic, indeed the issue has been raised on Github Micro-G (link 4 messages above). Normally you can continue to use those services normally using default mail + calendar app if they are already set in.
In this post (link removed), a user describes what is probably the reason for the problem:
(quote removed)
Edit: I just noticed that an earlier post of mine got hidden because it was considered spam. It contained a link to the same topic to which I linked in this post. Since I don’t understand why my previous post is considered spam, I have decided not to link to this specific website and not to quote from it either.
Same issue here, Google Calendar shows the error message and refuses to start. Interestingly, the corresponding widget still seems to work.
I also noticed that Google Maps is not working either. It doesn’t load any maps and I’m also logged out there. When I try to log in through MicroG, it says “this account already exists on your device.” So I guess Maps just can’t access my Google account through MicroG. (I had a similar issue with maps in the past where it just wouldn’t load any data, probably also due to some incompatibility with current MicroG.)
Someone on the MicroG GitHub mentioned that it could be related to changes in signature checking. I hope it can be fixed in a future MicroG update. Does anyone know if it’s possible to update MicroG manually? Or do we have to wait for the next /e/OS update?
Current advice is to downgrade the broken apps, see the GitHub link for info. Looks like anything from before December 4 or so should work, I will run some tests here.
Edit: I downgraded my apps to the following versions as suggested in the GitHub comments. After this they all work fine.
Didn’t test Gmail since I don’t use it, but procedure is the same. Just go to APKmirror, look at old releases and find one that’s old enough. Then it’s just a bit of trial&error - if it still doesn’t work, just uninstall again and try an older version.
The steps for downgrading: (copied from GitHub)
Uninstall the app (CAUTION: Your app permissions and settings will be lost!).
Find the app in Aurora Store and click on the three dots in the top right corner and select “Manual download”.
Enter the desired Version code and click “Check”. The app will be downloaded and installed afterwards.
Make sure to skip automatic updates for the app, since otherwise it will break again!
I would just like to point this out again: De-Googled means ‘without Google’! If someone wants to use Google services or apps - there are thousands of smartphones in all price ranges that run Google Android and have no problems with Google apps!
I for one would not accept /e/OS making concessions to compatibility with Google applications (or Microsoft, or Apple)!
I’m sure that with the new Android versions, Google will (want to) ensure that third-party systems no longer work anyway: Otherwise there would be a mass exodus if the planned ‘Powered Off Finding’ feature is implemented and Google devices track users 24/7 even when switched off.
What is the inclusion of microG as a key component of the /e/OS concept, if not such a concession?
And a needed concession at that, in order to claim
“Compatible with all apps” “most Android apps can be installed, because keeping your data private shouldn’t mean forgoing your digital experience.”
(Murena Smartphones & OS)
Literally …
“Murena Key features
[…]
A Google Services compatibility layer is implemented”
(Murena Smartphones & OS)