Hi there
I’m a new GrapheneOS user who’s trying to de-Google as much as I can, and I have some of insights to add.
You actually DO need Google Play Services in order to activate your MitID app, but when that is done, GPS can be safely uninstalled. MitID activation is the process of registering the app as a valid authentication device, and you need your username as well as a temporary password from mitid.dk in order to do this. The GPS requirement only becomes apparent when you have correctly entered your username and the temporary password, where you are greeted with this dialog:
“MitID app can not be activated
MitID app can not be activated without Google Play services, which are missing from your device.”
So we’ll need GPS from the GOS Apps app, though all the Google apps can be installed without giving any permissions whatsoever (not even network), and MitID will accept that. When you reach the screen about notifications, just close MitID (if you accept, the app will freeze, but you can still just close it at that point). Next time MitID is opened, it’ll be ready for use and the Google apps you installed can be uninstalled with no issue (so I’m guessing this method is just as good as if the Google apps were never installed, since no network permissions were given? I’d need an expert to confirm that).
I know this thread is about MitID, but I’ll quickly make a note about some other apps that use MitID as well: Danske Bank, MobilePay and Digital Post all work without Google apps installed (MobilePay will claim that it needs GPS, but works fine without). e-boks does not work without GPS, as the app crashes the moment you log in (I did not test how much it takes to get e-boks working).
Finally, thank you @lbschenkel for maintaining this knowledge base. Since MitID is mandatory in Denmark, having a source like this is great for Danes who are unsure if they’ll even be able to use a privacy and security focused OS. It certainly helped convince me.
Model: 7a
Build number: TQ3A.230805.001.2023080800
MitID version: 3.1.1 (85)