How to Install and run Yuka ?

twg

Hello,

I try to install https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=io.yuka.android&pli=1 but run into issues with my two user profiles, one without google play services, and one with it.

On my main profile:

without google play services, I can install the app through aurora store using anonymous session.
when i open the app, and slide through the welcome screen, i get a 'something went wrong' error message like this: https://forum.fairphone.com/uploads/default/optimized/3X/2/3/2302f01b49c5ce9a181c90108ba5d30c5a0e0759_2_281x500.png
i have tried to enable 'exploit protection compatibility mode'.

On my google play profile:

i have sandboxed google play running with play services installed through graphene's app store
i have google play store installed and working fine and linked to a google account with no payment configured
trying to install Yuka through the play store does not work, play store says 'this app won't work for your device'
I can install Yuka through aurora store but when i start the application i am thrown into play store and it says 'get this app from play, the app installed on your device is not recognised and could harm your device'.
i have tried to enable 'exploit protection compatibility mode'.

I post this because I was unable to find a solution by myself, and the threads about it did not provide a solution ( see this and that and also @Sbpr on that last thread

Thanks for any help.

DeletedUser88

twg The app probably implements Play Integrity checks which GrapheneOS cannot pass. You can write to them saying how Play Integrity affects your experience as a custom Android OS user and ask that they consider removing the checks. Alternatively, you can ask them to whitelist GrapheneOS while keeping the checks if they decide they want to still use Play Integrity.

Unfortunately there is not much you or GrapheneOS can do at the moment.

freakthis

Same issue here. Yuka is something I can live without, but has actually changed my life. Would love to be able to use it GOS.

OpenFoodFacts will suffice for now I suppose.

freakthis

DeletedUser88 Thank you.

@twg I reached out to them.

twg

freakthis I did as well. Fingers crossed. Thanks @DeletedUser88 for the clarifications. Will post here if I ever get a reply.

Scott

I installed Yuka on a very old iPhone. Unlike OpenFoodFacts, you are forced to enter an email, first name and password. However, the email is not verified. I'm going to test how Yuka compares to OpenFoodFacts. Can they keep up with OpenFoodFacts?

freakthis

I got a reply from them:

Hi,

Thank you so much for taking the time to contact us and share your enthusiasm for our app! it means a lot to us!

We do use Google services to manage the users' accounts and ensure security in our system. There is no possibility to use the app without these services, I'm sorry to say.

I'l forward your request to our developer team to let them know that more and more people are using Graphene OS and would like to be able to use our app as well.

Once again, thanks for your message and your support.

Have a nice day!

Scott

this is the normal blah-blah that every support team tells you. Don't expect a developer to care. It should just sound friendly and nice for the customer (or the product?)

fid02

Scott That's a rather grim view. It depends entirely on the company. Starling Bank opened up for GrapheneOS after they started enforcing Play Integrity and customers complained. Others could as well. Situation not set in stone.

twg

got the exact same email lmao

The other thing we can do, is to use a different device to leave a review on the play store.

DirtyDan

freakthis

fph

twg

Just wanted to share that Yuka will work on GrapheneOS if you have Play services installed AND you're logged into a Google account on the same profile. But can't actually install it from the Play Store, but it will work if you install it from the Aurora Store.

Pretty strange.

freakthis

Hey all,

Just giving a heads up, Yuka seems to be working on GOS now! 😃

DirtyDan

freakthis which method did you use to install it? The Play Store still says Yuka won't work for my device and won't let me install it.

freakthis

DirtyDan I used Aurora Store and it worked immediately.

fph

freakthis
I just tried installing it from Aurora Store; it installs, but when I open it it complains it wasn't installed through Play Store and refuses to open.

freakthis

fph I think I may have spoken too soon. It was working for me upon installation, but now it is prompting me to sign into Google to use. Sorry for the false hope, guys. Idk why it was working at first...

primipare

I have a Pixel 7, so installed GOS about 2 years ago and immediately installed Yuka which has worked flawlessly since. I am a premium subscriber but only since recently. Weird, no?
In around November 2024 I got 2 family members a Pixel 8 Pro, installed GOS, they aren't able to install Yuka, getting the message "cannot be installed on this phone"
Double weird....

I wrote to Yuka about it. If enough people do, explaining we're on GOS, as a poster said, nothing is set in stone and it might very well move things.

Warren

I tried to install Yuka through the play store. Was denied. I was able to install through Aurora store but on app start up a message was displayed saying I needed to download the app from the play store. So I sent a message to yuka and received the following reply:

"Thank you so much for taking the time to contact us and share your enthusiasm for our app! It means a lot to us!

We do use Google services to manage the users' accounts and ensure security in our system. There is no possibility to use the app without these services, I'm sorry to say.

I'll forward your request to our developer team to let them know that more and more people are using Graphene OS and would like to be able to use our app as well.

Once again, thanks for your message and your support.

Have a nice day!"

Edit: I do have the play store and services installed.

DirtyDan

Warren Yuka should work if you install it from the Aurora Store using Google login (not Anonymous) and if you install it on a profile logged into a Google account running Play Services. I'm not sure if the account you use with aurora needs to be the same as the one you have running on the profile since I kept it the same. You'll also need to enable native code debugging, which will also reduce the GrapheneOS sandbox.

I ended up putting Yuka on another profile/private space, with an always on VPN, where i alsp put other questionable privacy apps so I can turn the profile off when not in use.

Note: logging into the aurora store with a Google account could cause Google to suspend that account, so best to do it with a throwaway Google account.

Still, these are some absurd things to have to do to get the app to work. So please keep sending Yuka feedback!

kron

DirtyDan Almost worked for me but I can't enter my email to use the app. It get stucks on the "NEXT" button not moving to the next page.

rdeckard

I contacted them today and received the following response:

"_Unfortunately, Yuka is not currently available to users with GrapheneOS and we do not know if or when it will be. This is because GrapheneOS is blocked by google security rules.

Thank you for all your suggestions and sorry for any disappointment this causes._"

It seems they are willing to drop loyal users, as they gave me a refund and basically said they don't care. Sad, because the fix is quite simple on their side, they could use the HardwareAttestation API to validate GrapheneOS’s security independently of Google’s certification or use the GrapheneOS Attestation Compatibility Guide.

Is there another app that does something similar?