Mysterious GmsCompat message

dln949

Non-technical person me was able to convince an even less technical person to install GrapheneOS, so I guess I can claim one convert for the cause. She wanted Google services framework stuff to work because of a couple apps she wanted to install from Aurora store that needed Google services framework - but has no interest in the Google Play Store itself, nor does she have a Google account - so on her device I installed Graphene's sandboxed "Google Play services", which installed "GmsCompatConfig", "Google Services Framework", and "Google Play Store".

Everything is working okay, except she's getting bombarderd with GmsCompat messages like these:

1) "Missing permission / Google Play Store tried to show a notification"; and,
2) "Missing optional permission / Push notifications will be delayed, because Play services app is not allowed to always run in the background. Tap to resolve."
3) In addition, she's getting messages about updating Google Play Store - but the Graphene "Apps" app doesn't show any updates available - and when she taps on that it takes her to the login screen for the Google Play Store, which obviously won't work because she doesn't have a Google account (and doesn't want one).

For item #1 above, is the fix for that as simple as going into the app settings for Google Play Store and turning off notifications? If so, any negative ramifications from that?

For item #2 above, am I correct in understanding for push notifications to work for her she needs to enable non-optimizing battery for the Google Play services framework app?

spring-onion

Welcome to both of you!

dln949 For item #1 above, is the fix for that as simple as going into the app settings for Google Play Store and turning off notifications? If so, any negative ramifications from that?

She wants to open the gmscompat app info page (system apps must be shown to find it), notifications, and then turn off the missing permissions toggles there. This shouldn't cause her trouble for her use case.

dln949 For item #2 above, am I correct in understanding for push notifications to work for her she needs to enable non-optimizing battery for the Google Play services framework app?

It's the google play services that needs unrestricted battery, the others don't.

dln949 3) In addition, she's getting messages about updating Google Play Store - but the Graphene "Apps" app doesn't show any updates available - and when she taps on that it takes her to the login screen for the Google Play Store, which obviously won't work because she doesn't have a Google account (and doesn't want one).

The play store can update itself without an account, you should let it do that. The updates reach your device quicker and compatibility isn't a concern as it can't update beyond the whitelisted version anyway. If my memory serves me right you can access its settings under a 3 dots menu at the top right on the login page, the option to update is under the "about" tab.

GrapheneOS

dln949 These notifications direct users to what needs to be changed when pressed.

You probably want to enable notifications for the Play Store even if it's not being actively used, and displaying notifications doesn't give access to any data but rather just allows an app to annoy users unless they disable notification channels used for notifications they don't want, etc.

You probably want to enable Unrestricted battery mode for Play services if you want working push notifications, otherwise ask the notification to not show again.

We recommend accept the Play Store trying to update Play services. We set a maximum supported version for both the Play Store and Play services. Since the Play Store is a regular app, it requires enabling the install permission and then approval the first update of an app in order for it to update it. Once the first update is done, it is the current installer and can keep updating it. Our app repository client may sometimes update Play services first, so then Play Store will have to ask for permission again.

This is all regular functionality and the instructions in the notifications should be followed.

WayneBGood

spring-onion How do I show system apps? GMSCOMPAT is eating up my battery resources.

DeletedUser202

WayneBGood Settings > Apps > See all # apps > ⁝ (top right corner) > Show system

GrapheneOS

WayneBGood It is not draining your battery but rather apps are doing it.

WayneBGood

DeletedUser202 I found it at the same time but the battery settings for GMSCOMPAT are greyed out. Someone on Reddit said they "disabled redirection" so trying to find that, too.

GrapheneOS

WayneBGood This is very bad advice and you shouldn't do it. It's a broken configuration and will result in apps not working. If you've already made changes like this, that could be why things are going wrong.