With Etesync, you open an account with them, install their app, then register Etesync among your "Accounts", like one does with Google. Then, the Etesync app brokers contact data between the OS and apps that use or relay contact data. Like, DW Dialer, and Groundwire softphone. With Etesync, my contact data is housed in the cloud, encrypted, and out of Googles grimey hands. It requires no administration, I never touch the Etesync app.
I'm on GOS 2025091000 also. The most I've recently changed in my GOS config is enabled Wifi Verbose Logging. Otherwise, I could accept personal responsibility. I read some weeks back about the banking compatibility problem. But for my bank's app, it proactively required an update -the day after GOS's update. Now, its stuck at a post-install screen, & I can't log in. The timing of the 2 updates is admitted wierd. But still highly suspicious. If the bank app update came before GOS's I'd quickly blame the bank.
Now, sadly, I'm looking very seriously at IodéOS. It breaks my heart to leave GOS. I'm a red-blooded patriot, addicted to freedom & liberty.
After writing this reply, I've now changed my mind to back up my phone as much as possible. Then wipe it & install a clean version of GOS. Then, if most, or at least some of my problems go away, I'll stick with GOS.