GrapheneOS

Panga12

Hi guys,
I just installed GrapheneOS, and Google Maps is not working.

I also can't install an app (fraenk) because it cannot be found under Aurora or F-Droid. So, I can't install the eSIM.

Do I have to install the Google Play Store (Aurora) for this? Is it also correct to install Google Maps from the Play Store for it to work?

Thank you for your help.

Probably9857

Panga12 Google Maps is not working.

You'll need to be more specific about what you mean by "not working". Describe what you are doing, and what happens.

Panga12 I also can't install an app (fraenk) because it cannot be found under Aurora or F-Droid. So, I can't install the eSIM.

You might have to install the Play Store to get that. Or maybe you can change a setting in Aurora - the app might be only available in certain countries. I'm not very familiar with Aurora, but maybe that is something you can do with a setting. Others can probably advise - I'd wait to see if it's possible with Aurora if you really don't want to install Play Store.

Panga12 Is it also correct to install Google Maps from the Play Store for it to work?

I believe it should work if you get it from Aurora. But again, I'm not an Aurora expert, so I could be wrong.

Panga12 Google Maps requires sandboxed Google Play. It used to work without it but doesn't anymore. It makes little difference since sandboxed Google Play runs as a regular sandboxed app on GrapheneOS and cannot do anything more than Google Maps. You'd also likely grant Location to Google Maps but you don't need to give it to sandboxed Google Play due to location rerouting. There are other good map/navigation apps available.

eSIM activation is built into the OS and you need to enable the eSIM management toggle in the settings. Check our usage check for this. If you need another app from the carrier you can get it from the sandboxed Google Play Store.

Probably9857

That's a lot...I see at least 5 or 6 different questions there.

It's probably best to focus on your most important question first, or create separate threads for each question.

BUT...please search the forum for answers first before creating a bunch of new threads. Many of your questions have been asked before.

Probably9857

Probably9857 Panga12 Is it also correct to install Google Maps from the Play Store for it to work?

I believe it should work if you get it from Aurora. But again, I'm not an Aurora expert, so I could be wrong.

However, it will almost certainly require Google Play to be installed in order to work. ( I don't use Google Maps, but this seems like a pretty safe bet.)

And if you are going to install Google Play anyway, you're better off just getting Maps from the Play Store.

Panga12

@Probably9857 Thank you for your advice.
Which apps are you using instead of Google Maps?

Probably9857

Panga12 Which apps are you using instead of Google Maps?

I personally use Organic Maps. Other popular maps apps around here are OsmAnd and Magic Earth. There are others, but those seem to be the most common recommendations.

They all have pros and cons.

Probably9857

Google Maps does require Play services.

https://discuss.grapheneos.org/d/11741-anybody-have-advice-for-getting-google-maps-working-again/2

So...if you choose to install that to make Maps work, you might as well just get your other apps from there too, and I think that would solve all your immediate issues.

DirtyDan

Probably9857 you can also still access Google maps as a progressive web app if you're mostly using it to find places, look at reviews, etc, the web app just can't do navigation. So some will do a combination of Google Maps PWA to find something and copy the address into one of the apps @Probably9857 mentioned for navigation.

I still rely on Google's live traffic and rerouting options during navigation, so I'm sticking to the full Google Maps install, but to each their own.

Kind of funny how those 3 more privacy respecting apps are better than the Garmin device I thought was amazing 10-15 years ago, yet now I'm so spoiled that I consider them unusable.

Panga12

Thank you, @DirtyDan, and @Probably9857

I could use another app to replace Google Maps or other Google products.

I am struggling with installing my eSim.

When I install an app (e.g. ‘fraenk’) (via Aurora Store), I get the following error message:

Something went wrong
Make sure that Google Play is activated on your device and that you are using a current version before opening the app. If the problem persists, try reinstalling the app.

I get the same problem when I install the ‘Olauncher’ app.

Any ideas?

de0u

Panga12 When I install an app (e.g. ‘fraenk’) (via Aurora Store), I get the following error message:

Something went wrong
Make sure that Google Play is activated on your device and that you are using a current version before opening the app. If the problem persists, try reinstalling the app.

I get the same problem when I install the ‘Olauncher’ app.

Any ideas?

Apps have different requirements. Some apps require Google Play, in which case they won't run without it. If the fraenk app requires Play, you could install Play, or you could complain to them and in theory get them to rewrite their app.

de0u

Panga12 You could try installing Play, running the fraenk app to install the eSIM, then deleting both Play and the app. But that might not work if the app is needed on an ongoing basis. At the end of the day, if you choose to do business with fraenk and they choose to require Play, you are choosing to do business with Play.

Panga12

Thank you, guys.

I understand. If Fraenk, as an eSim provider, is forcing me to install Play, I could use another brand (like Congstar, for example).

Let's assume that I find Congstar as an app in the Aurora store and can, therefore, buy and set up my eSim.

Why is Congstar, for example, available in the Aurora store but not in the Neo store?

How do you set up the different profiles with the individual stores?

Do I need F-droid, Aurora and Neo store, or can I do without individual ones?

Do I have to install the stores on the profile to be able to install my apps?

Thanks in advance!